BUTTERWORTH, Dec 21 — Barisan Nasional (BN) will campaign for the reinstatement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the 16th General Election, reflecting its conviction that GST remains the most fair and efficient taxation structure for Malaysia.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said while the coalition respects the current government’s decision to continue with the Sales and Services Tax (SST), BN believes that GST offers a stronger framework to support Malaysia’s long-term financial sustainability.
“BN’s stance is firm — GST must be brought back. We will respect SST for now. But after GE16, GST must be reinstated,” he said during the Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party AGM.
Zahid’s remark followed a similar call by Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran, who argued that GST was more practical and less burdensome compared to SST.
GST, introduced in 2015 before being abolished in 2018, has often been described as a more structured system that reduces tax leakages and widens revenue participation.
Zahid also emphasised that GST’s return must come with better communication, public education and policy improvements to ensure acceptance.
He said a stable revenue system is essential to guarantee better development initiatives and fairer economic distribution for Malaysians across all income groups.
